Grants for pre-K expansion announced

The $4.3 million in grants will be distributed to 24 providers statewide. http://bit.ly/1rMzBoY

WMAR

Bill Fink

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The recipients of grants to expand pre-kindergarten in Maryland have been announced.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Charlene Dukes, the president of the Maryland Board of Education and Dallas Dance, the Baltimore County superintendent of schools announced the $4.3 million in grants Monday Perry Hall.

"Every child in Maryland deserves to be able to climb the ladder of opportunity towards success, and expanding access to quality early childhood education is a critical part of our effort to close the achievement gap throughout our state," said Lt. Governor Brown.

The grants will be distributed to 24 providers statewide.

"Baltimore County has been, and continues to be a leader in early childhood education, and this $770,000 in State funding for pre-kindergarten expansion recognizes our ongoing commitment and will make a real difference in our communities," said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Lawmakers approved the grants in this year's legislative session in an effort to expand full- and half-day pre-K to 1,500 more children.

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.